Control unit



SeptI 7, 1948. c. A. ARENS 2,448,696

CONTROL UNIT Filed May 17, 1943 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ida? 6.3 ENToR.

` Sept 7, 1948. c. A. ARENS' 2,448,696

` CONTROL UNIT Filed May 17. 1943 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y 5 erp...

Tf@ M Patented Sept. 7, 1948 CONTROL UNIT Charles A. Arens, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Arens Controls, Inc., Chicago, Ill..v a corporation of Illinois Application May 17, 1943, Serial No. 487,238

12 Claims.

This invention relates to mechanically operated control units of the type wherein a control member and a device to be loperated in accordance with the positioning of the control member are interconnected by a mechanical transmission structure, specifically an elongated transmission cable in the particular embodiment disclosed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanical control unit of the type defined which may be readily fabricated and which is of improved construction and operating characteristics.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mechanical control unit of the type defined of simplified structure and accuracy of operation, and wherein frictional forces tending to resist operation of the parts are minimized and are rendered substantially uniform under all conditions of operation and manipulation of the control member.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanical control unit adapted for use with a flexible cable transmission structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical control unit of the character dened, which in certain aspects is particularly adapted to eifect dual control.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved indicator unit of the type having a manually actuated control structure, and -one or more remotely positioned indicators operated thereby in accordance with the positioning of the control member or members of the control structure.

Various other objectsfadvantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specication when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly view, diagrammatic in form, of a control unit constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles ofthe invention;

Fig. `2 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the manually operated control structure, as embodied in the assembly or unit illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional View of the structure of Fig. 2, on the line 3--3v thereof;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the structure of Fig. 1 taken as indicated on the line 4`-.4 of Fig.3; and ,f

Fig. 5 is a partial rear view of the same structure, takenas indicated on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail view, partly in section, and taken as indicated Aby the line 6 6 of Fig. 7, of the operated device or indicator structure, embodied in the installation of Fig. 1;

Figyfl is a vertical sectional view of the device of Fig. 6, on the line 'I-l thereof; and I Figs. 8 and 9 are detail sectional views of the structure of Fig. 6 taken, respectively, as in'- dicated on the lines 8-8 and Sl- 9;

Fig. 10 is a detail view, on a further enlarged scale, of one of the end connections for the transmission cable sheath, and taken specically as indicated by the line III-I0 of Fig. 5; j

Fig. 11 is a detail View illustrating the manner of anchoring one end of the transmission cable to its manually operable control member, and taken as indicated by the line I I-I lof Fig. 2; and

Fig. 12 is a detail view showing the manner of anchoring the other end of the transmission cable to the'operated device or indicator, and taken as indicated on the line I2--I2 of Fig. 6.

The structure specifically set forth in the drawings, for illustrative purposes, comprises an indicator installation or unit of the type' utilized on ships, aircraft, or other vehicles in connection with their operation and control, and certain of the features `f the invention are particularly adapted to a structure of this type. It is to be understood, however, that various features of the invention are adapted for use in mechanical control units generally, including other forms of indicators as well as other types of operated or control units wherein an operated member is to be vactuated in accordance with the operation or positioning of an operating control member.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, in Fig. 1 an indicator unit or installationis illustrated vcomprising a manually actuated control structure, generally indicated by the numeral I0, and a pair of indicators operated thereby, generally indicated by the numerals II and I2. The control structure In includes a pair of manually operable control members or handles I3 and I4, connected, respectively, to the operated devices I I and I 2, by means of `elongated transmission cables I5 and I 6. The details of the transmission cables will be later described, suffice to say that each includes an inner or shiftable actuating structure, connected to the handles I3 and I4 and adapted for push-pull actuation within a flexible sheath. The operated device or indicator II includes-an indicator member I'I, whereas the operated device or indicator l2 includes an indicator `member I8,

these indicator members being connected, respectively, to the inner or shiftable actuating structures of the transmission cables. It will be seen that as the control member or handle I3 is operated, corresponding positioning will be imparted to the indicator pointer I1 of the controlled device II, whereas operation of the control handle lll'imparts corresponding kincrements of movement and positioning to the indicator pointer I8 of the controlled device I2.

The details of construction of the control structure I are shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11. Referring to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, it will be seen that this structure comprises abase or platform supported by legs ZI. block member 22 extending across the base and secured thereto by suitable means such. as screws 23, Fig. 4. This block in turn forms the support for a barrel or main frame member 24, secured to the block by a pair of screws 25. The main frame jmemberv 24 `is thus xed to the base or platform 20,and is in effect integral therewith. In form, i the frame member' 24 comprisesa cylinder open at both'ends.

The ends of thecylinder are closed by a pair of circular end plates 26'and 21, which end' plates 'are rotatably 'mounted upon the cylinder ends. To guide the-plates in their rotatablemovements, l they'are'provided with axially directed peripheral Iflanges,` as indicated at 28 and 2S, Fig. 3, these flanges having bearing engagement with thel outer J"c'ylindricalsurface of the barrel frame 24. A `lug SUisar-ranged within the barrel frame 24, betweentheL endplates,l and provided with extensions 3I and 32 projecting through central open- Vingsin the plates. These extensions are threaded, i and-f carry' pairs' 'of lock nuts 33 and 34 for holding theplates-in' position. lThese lock'nutsV are adjusted: so thatthe plates 26 and 21 areV inde- I pendently lrotatable relative to the main frame 24. f

Thehandles I3 and I4 are secured, respectively, tothe platesI 26 and 2l, by suitable meanssuch as screws 35 and 36,A so that the handles serve as -means foreifecting the rotational movements of the'.` plates. di'cator :pointer 38, Fig. 1, which cooperates with apairofindicator bands 39 `and'llil mounted, respectively, on the vplate flanges 2B and29. The Vindicat`orsf38, 39,40 show the' adjustedipositionvingof the plates, as they are rotated'by their.`

respectivehandles.

The plate 2'I carries a pair o-f screws 42 and 43, Fig.-4,'and the plate26 carriesa similar pair of screws,"-one offwhich is indicated' at 44 in Fig.'3.

These screws, upon rotation of the end plates, are 1 adapted to be brought'into engagement with a cylindr-i'calstop lug 45y extending between the plates fand `securedy to the lower portion of the main -framel 24 by suitable means suchas welding or "solderingwas' indicated at 46, Fig. 4. The engagement of thescrews with theV stop llugfserves asa limiting means 'for 'the rotational movements f-bfthe plates. The stoplug 45 is provided'with a 'centralfbore adapted to. carry aipair of plungers pre'ssion spring 49. iThese-plungers causeballs 5B laridi 5I'fmou'n'ted, respectively, in the: ends'of the fplungera to be urged against the surfaces` of the plates', for cooperation with a seriesA of depressions 4r"52,1" Fig.l 4, 'in thelplates. These depressions serve asipositioning devices *for the plates, andare so `'spaced--that when in engagement with the balls i thefvarious designations on theindicatorv bands '-iSJand- 44 are in-proper aligned cooperation with 'ithfindicatorpointer 138 of thesframe.

The base 26 'carries a The :barrel lframe 24 carries an in` Iframefbeing provided with portions of increased Awall thickness as indicated at 58 and 59 to accommodate the body of the tubes.

These tubes are adapted to slidably receive the Vinner or shiftable actuating portions of the transmission cables I5 and i6. Referring to Fig, l0,

#illustrating thev structural details of the transmission cable "I 5v and its associated connection with the tubeI 54, it will be seen that the inner or 'i shiftableactuating structure of the cable, in the specifictembodiment illustrated, comprises a central core wire 6i] embraced within and movable as a unit with a wire coil 5 I. The ends of the wire 4coil' I are secured to the core wire 66, and in opera'tion;l,he wiresli and 6I form a composite inner" or shiftable actuating transmission cable structure, shiftable as a unit within the tube 54.

The. core wire 65 may be adapted primarily to absorb tensile stresses'whereas the coil wire 6I primarily absorbs compressive stresses, in the pushpull movements' of the cable. The transmission cable alsolincludes a sheath wire coil 62, Fig. 10, within which the inner or actuating structure of the cable is shitabIe, the sheath coil 62 preferably .being encased within acovering 63 of suitable .protectivematerial such as rubber, fabric, or the 1 like. @The wire coil 62 with its covering 63 forms fainexib1e sheath' for the actuating cable te, 6|.

.Referring further to Fig. 10, to secure the .cab1e,..sheathi 62 firmly to the end of the tube l 54, the .sheath at its end is provi-ded with a sleeve .ablemeans such forexample as punched inden- `.tationsas Airidicatedat G5. vThe end of the fitting 64 is provided with screwv threads 66 adapted for.vcooperationiwith an internally threaded bore .choredaupon .theend ofthe .tube-54, the tube end being slightly .ared as indicated at 69 to -holdthe sleeve-68 in position. .It will `be seen -that Vasft'he coupling :member 61 is rotated relative to the fitting 64, a tight abutting connectionbetween the cable sheath 62 and the tube 54 is provided.

The cable I6 may be similar in structure to the .cable I5,` and anchored to the end of the tube A55 by similar` means.

In Fig. 5 the shiftable 1cable Aportion ofthe cable I6, corresponding to -fthe coil-6I of the cable I5, is indicated by the reference numeral 1 I.

The shiftable cable elements 60, 6I are directed from the upperend of the tube 54 into a groove 01 channel` 14 'extending peripherally of the v--.plate.12,ithe.shiftable cable elements of the cable lIwfbeing similarly directed by the upper end of the tube 55 into a groove or channel 15 extendingperipherally of the plate 21. When the lrotatable-.plates 25-and 21 are in normal position, asshown in Fig. 2, the cables extend z plates,.and within the plate grooves, -by anchor bolts 16 and 'I'I, which may be of similar construction, the details of the anchor bolt 16 being illustrated in Fig. 11.

Referring to Fig. l1, it will be seen that the core Wire 60 has xecl to its end, and in abutting engagement with the Wire coil 6I, `an eccentrically aperture-d bushing or tting 18 secured to the end of the core wire 60 by suitable means such as soldering, swedging or the like. The anchor bolt 16 is apertured at its inner end to receive the tting 18, and the outer end of the bolt is threaded for cooperation with -a nut 19. It will be seen that as the nut is rotated,

the bolt 16 may be drawn outwardly whereby to cause it to tightly grip the fitting 18 and thus anchor the cable structure 60-6I in position, to the plate 26, and Within its groove 14.

In operation, it Will be seen that as the .plates 126 and 21 are actuated, respectively, by their handles I3 and I4, the inner or actuating structures of the cables are shifted within the tubes 54 and 55, and within the cable sheaths.

Referring to Figs. 6, '1, 8, 9 and 12, lshowing the details of the indicator structure operated bythe cable I5, it will be seen that the indicator comprises a main frame formed of a base 8-5 and side Walls 86. A face plate 81 overlies the side Walls 86, being secured thereto by means such as screws 88. This face plate carries a dial 89 with which the indicator pointer I1 cooperates.

A frame bracket 90 is iixed to the base 85 by bolts 9I. This frame bracket rigidly carries a tube 92 having a function and purpose similar to the tubes 54 and 55 previously described. More speciiically, the outer end of the tube projects through one of the side walls 86, and is adapted by means of a coupling -connection 93 to be connected with the end of the transmission cable sheath.v This coupling connection may -be the same as the coupling connection previously described, and illustrated in detail in Fig. 10.

The inner end of the tube 92 directs the shiftable cable elements Bil- 6I into an annular groove 95 formed peripherally within a rotatable plate 96, said plate being adapted for rotation upon the face or table portion 91 of the bracket 90. The central portion of the bracket is formed as a lbushing 98 through which a projection 99 of the plate 96 extends. This projection is threaded on its end, and adapted to receive a pair of lock nuts I whereby the plate is secured to the bracket, but for free rotation thereon. The plate 96 is also provided with an oppositely extending projection IOI to the end. of which the pointer I1 is pinned. A bearing I02 is secured to the face plate 81, forming a journal for the projection IOI.

One portion of the rotatable plate 96 is provided with an openlng I05, Figs. 6 and 9, projecting from' the groove 95 angula'rly through the outer face wall of the plate 96. The end of lthe cable 60, EI projects from the groove 95 through this opening |05, the cable end then being anchored onto the face of the plate by means of an anchor bracket 06, Figs. 6, 9 and 12, held in position Vby screws |01. As best shown in Fig. 12, the groove |08 in the bracket IllB is slightly smaller than the sleeve |09 secured to the cable end, so that as the bolts |01 are tightened, the cable end will be clamped between the bracket and the face'of the plate 96, and securely held in place.

In operation, it will be seen that as the transmission cable 60, 6I is projected or retracted through the cable sheath and through the tube 92, the plate ill will be caused to rotate on the bracket 90, moving the pointer I1 to its various shifted positions. Due to the manner in which the cable is projected by the tube 92 at an angle into the plate groove 95, and then directed at substantially the same angle from the groove through the opening I'05, it will be seen that the plate 96 may experience substantially 360 degrees rotation, under the push-pull actuations of the transmission cable.

Particular attention is directed to the manner of cooperation between the shiftable elements of the transmission cables, and the grooves 95 and 14 and 15, asprovided in the operating elements of the structures. It will be seen that as the handle I3 is actuated to impart a pushing propulsion to its associated transmission cable, the cable expands into contact with the outer wall oi the groove 14, but there is no sliding frictional contactbetween the cable and the groove. The only possible sliding contact is between the cable and the end surface of the frame barrel 24, which contact is inconsequential in so far as concerns friction because there is no pressure engagement; and between the sliding cable and the tube 54 and the cable sheath 62. Similarly when the handle I3 is manipulated to effect a pulling action upon the cable, the cable is contracted into gripping engagement with the inner wall of the groove 14. But again there is no friction inducing sliding contact between the parts, the only points of sliding contact and frictional engagement being the same as when the cable is pulled. Accordingly not only is frictional resistance to movement minimized, but such frictional resistance as is encountered i-s substantially equal during both pulling and pushing movements, and is also substantially constant regardless of how much of the cable length lies within the plate slot 14. Similar operations occur in the action of the plate 21, and in the operated indicator devices, as in the case of the plate 96.

Accordingly it Will be seen that the frictional resistance to movement is minimized, and such frictional resistance as is encountered, is uniform on both pushing and pulling movements, and

during the entire stroke of operation, regardless of the particular handle position. A dual control unit, adapted for use with a flexible transmission cable having minimum backlash and maximum accuracy is provided.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specific embodiment set forth for purposes of illustration Without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly the invention is not to be limited to the embodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the following claims. 4

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A control unit comprising a frame, a control member pivotally mounted onsaid frame, said control member having a cylindrical indicator portion extending radially beyond and over the frame, and a transmission member connected at one end to said pivoted control member and adapted to be connected at its other end to a device -to be controlled, said control member having a groove receiving the transmission member and within which the transmission member is maintained by a portion of the frame, said transmission member being axially shiftable by the operation of the pivoted control member,` and 'said 4transmission member during its axial shifting in a given direction having uniform areas of contact with said frame.

2. A oontrolfunitcomprising aframe, a control memberl pivotally mounted; on said frame, said control member'havingan annular iiange portion embracing and having bearing engagement with the frame, and a transmission member connected at one end to said pivoted control member and adapted to be connectedA at its other ,-end to a device to be controlled, said control member having a groove receiving the transmission member and Within which the transmission member is maintained by a portion ofthe frame, said transmission member being axially shiftable by the operation of the pivoted control member, and said transmission member during its axial shifting invoice direction having substantially the same contact areas with said frame a-s during axial shifting inthe opposite direction.

3. A control unit comprising a frame, a control member pivotally mounted on said frame, said control member being vprovided With an arcuate groove` an elongated vtransmission member connected. atoneend-to said'pivvoted control member and adapted to be connected at its other end to device to be controlled, said transmission member being axially shiftable by the operation of the pivoted control member and being adapted to lie within said groove, and said ltransmission member being expansiblie against an outer Wall of said groove during movement of the control member in one 'direction and being contracted against an inner Wall of said groove' during movement of the control-member in the opposite direction, and means for connecting the transmission member to the vcontro-l member comprising an anchor member projecting through the control member in-to said `groove and having an opening receiving the transmission member end.

4. A control unit comprising a frame, a control member pivotally mounted on saidframe, said control member being provided with an arcuate groove, an elongated` transmission member connected at one end to said pivoted control member and adapted to be connected at its other end to a deviceto be controlled, said transmission member being axially shiftable by the voperation of .1e pivoted control member and being adapted to lie within said groove, means on said frame for directing the transmission member into the groove at an acute angle -from the opn side of the groove, and an annular flange portion on the control member embracing andv having bearing engagement with the frame radially outwardly of the groove.

5. A control unit comprising a frame, a control member p'ivotally mounted on said frame, said control member being provided with an arcuate groove, an elongated transmission memberconnected at one end to said pivoted control member and adapted to be connected at its other end to a device to be controlled, said transmission member being axially shiftable by the operation of the pivoted control member and being adapted to lie Within said groove, means on said frame for directing the transmission member .into the grooveat an acute` angle from the open side thereof. and along a plane extending tangentially from said arcuate groove, and means for connecting ythe transmission member to the control member comprising an anchor member projecting through the control member into said groove and having an opening receiving the transmission member end.

6. A control unit comprising a frame, a control member pivotallymounted on said iframe, said control member being providedwith anyarcuate groove, an elongated transmission member .connected at one end to said pivoted control :member and adapted to be connected at its other end to a device to :be operated therewith, said rtransmission member being axially shiftable by theoperationv of the pivoted control member and being adapted to lie Within said groove, means on said frame for directing the transmission member into said groove at a given acute angle fromthe open side ofthe groove, the end of said cable being directed at substantially the same acute angle from the groove through an opening associated therewith and extending through a closed Wall of the groove, said end being secured to said pivoted control member.

7. A control unit comprising a hollow cylindrical frame, a manually operable control' member pivotally mounted on said frame, said control rnernber comprising a plate having an' axially directed annular flange adapted for bearing en gagement with an outer annular surface of the frame, a control handle connected to said plate, and a transmission cable structure, saidi transmission cable structure including av sheath connected to said frame and an inner actuating member slidable within said sheath` and, connected to said pivoted control member, a portion of said actuating member lying Within an arcuate groove formed into the side wall of theplate.

8, n control unit comprising a hollow cylindrical frame, a pair of manually operable control members pivotally mounted on said frame, 'said control members comprising a pair of Aplates'closing the opposite ends of the cylindrical frame and yhaving cylindrically extending anges adapted for bearing engagement with cylindrical surf-aces of the frame, control handles connected to; said plates, and transmission cable structures, :said transmission cable structures including sheaths connected to said frame and inner actuating members slidable, respectively, Within said sheaths and connected to said pivoted control members, portions of said actuating members lying Within arcuate grooves formed into the side Walls :of said plates.

9. A control unit comprising a hollow.A cylindrical frame, a manually operable control member pivotally mounted on said frame, said control member comprising a plate having an axially directed annular iiange adapted for bearing engagement with an annular surface of the frame, stop means Within the frame for limiting the pivotal movement-s of the plate, means Within'the frame for releasably holding the plate in various positions Within its range of movement, a control handle connected to said plate, and a transmission cable structure, said transmission cable structure including a sheath connected to said frame and an inner actuating member slidable Within said -sheath and connected to said pivoted control member, a portion of said actuatingv member lying within an arcuate groove formedinto the side Wall of the plate.

l0. A control unit comprising a cylindrical frame, a. manually operable control member pivotally mounted on said frame, said control member comprising a plate having an axially directed annular ange adapted for bearing engagement with an outer annular surface ofthe fra-me, indicating indicia arranged on said annular flange, cooperating indicia arranged on the cylindrical frame, a control handle connected to said plate, a transmission cable structure, said transmission cable structure including a sheath connected to said frame and an inner actuating member slid- 9 able Within the sheath and connected at one end to said pivoted control member, a portion of said actuating member lying Within an arcuate groove formed into the side Wall of the plat-e, and an indicator device connected to the other end of said transmission cable actuating member.

'11. A control unit comprising a hollow cylindrical frame, a manually operable control member pivotally mounted on said frame, said control member comprising a plate having a cylindrically extending flange adapted for bearing engagement with the outer cylindrical surface of said frame, said plate side Wall being provided with an arcuate groove the open side of which is closed by the annular end surface of said cylindrical frame, an elongated transmission cable connected at one end to said pivoted control member and adapted to be connected at its other end to a device to be controlled, said transmission member being axially shiftable by the operation of the pivoted control member and being adapted to lie within said groove, and a lconduit formed in said frame and adapted to direct the transmission cable into said groove at an acute angle from the open side of the groove.

12. A control unit comprising a frame, a contro-l member pivotally mounted on said frame, said control member being provided with an arcuate groove, the open face of which is closed by a surface of said frame, an elongated transmission member connected at one end to said pivoted control member and adapted to be connected at its other end to a device to be operated therewith, said transmission member being axially shiftable 10 by the operation of the pivoted control member and being adapted to lie Within said groove, a passage within said frame through which the transmission member is directed into said groove from the open side thereof, and a passage in the control member `extending at an acute angle from the groove for receiving and anchoring the transmission member end, said passages being comating to eiect a nested relationship of the part-s.

CHARLES A. ARENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

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